Bulls optimistic Derrick Rose will be able to play again this season

Although Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose will have surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee on Friday, Bulls management remains optimistic that Rose will return to the court later this season.

"Nothing's an easy procedure but there's an area that's going to get taken care of," Paxson said. "This will be something that's hopefully easily corrected and he'll be better than ever."

While Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf refused to speculate on timetable for Rose's recovery, he did say, "We're hoping this is just a minor setback."

The surgery, which will be performed by team physician Brian Cole, will give the Bulls more information for a timetable. However, there is also concern for Rose's mental recovery.

"He's gone through a lot and that's our concern," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We're hopeful that he'll be back soon."

Rose went in for an MRI after experiencing pain in his right knee on Monday. That MRI revealed an injury in the same knee that the former NBA MVP had surgery on back in 2013. Prior to that injury, Rose suffered a torn ACL during the 2012 NBA playoffs.

The 26 year-old averaged 18.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 46 games for the Bulls (36-22), who currently sit as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.